Equipment
Spotted: Mizuno’s new MP-5 Channelback irons
Mizuno posted a photo of its new “MP-5 Channelback” irons on its official Mizuno Golf Facebook page on Monday.
The first official pictures of the MP-5 Channelback just posted on the Open Championship blog. Posting live now at http://goo.gl/ASE1G4 #nothingfeelslikeamizuno
Posted by Mizuno Golf on Monday, July 13, 2015
More photos can be seen here in Mizuno’s Open Championship forum.
Based on photos from Mizuno, the irons will be Grain-Flow (GF) Forged from 1025E carbon steel. Also, based on comments from the company on Facebook, the irons will have more redistributed weight from previous MP models.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about the MP-5 Channelback irons in our forums.
Tour Edge Golf has today introduced the all-new Exotics mini driver, engineered to deliver a powerful combination of speed, control, and versatility in the long game.
The Exotics Mini combines a titanium face with a stainless-steel body in design to balance ball speed with stability and control, creating a versatile option at the top end of the bag.
At the core of the design is Tour Edge’s proprietary Combo Brazing technology, a high-precision thermal bonding process that seamlessly fuses a titanium cup face to a stainless-steel body into a single, continuous structure. By eliminating energy loss found in traditional multi-piece constructions, Combo Brazing is designed to deliver faster face response, more efficient energy transfer, and a uniquely powerful yet controlled feel.
The multi-material construction also allows mass to be positioned lower and deeper in the head in a bid to increase stability, while the thin titanium face is engineered to maintain ball speed across a wider impact area.
“While the initial goal was to enhance control and versatility in the long game, Combo Brazing ultimately drove measurable gains in ball speed and distance within the mini driver category. In robot testing, we’ve documented higher ball speeds, higher launch, reduced spin, and increased carry and total distance compared to leading models.” – Vice President of R&D Matt Neeley
In addition to distance performance, the Exotics mini emphasizes forgiveness through a heavier stainless-steel body that shifts mass toward the perimeter. This configuration increases MOI relative to traditional all-titanium mini drivers, helping preserve ball speed and directional stability on off-center strikes. Paired with Pyramid Face Technology from the Exotics metalwood line, the design is intended to support consistent speed across the face.
To further enhance MOI, a lightweight carbon fiber crown frees additional mass that is strategically repositioned low and deep in the head in design to improve stability and promote optimal launch with controlled spin.
“We designed the Mini to be about five millimeters shallower than other mini drivers on the market. That change improves playability off the deck. From a clean fairway lie, it can function as a strong 3-wood alternative while still providing control off the tee.” – Tour Edge CEO David Glod
An adjustable hosel system allows for loft and lie tuning to dial in trajectory and shot shape, while a fixed 13-gram rear weight helps stabilize the head through impact to improve dispersion consistency. The Exotics Mini Driver is available in 11.5 and 13.5-degree lofts in right-handed models.
Pricing & Availability
The Exotics Mini Driver is available for pre-order beginning today for $399.99 USD at touredge.com, and will be available for purchase at retail outlets worldwide on May 22, 2026.
In our forums, our members have been pitting a Srixon ZXi combo against a TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo. WRXer ‘edutch22’ is on the hunt for a new set of irons and kicks off the thread saying:
“Looking at picking up a new set of irons and think I’ve narrowed it down to Srixon ZXi combo or Taylormade P7CB/770 combo. I am currently a 5 cap and allbeit I feel irons are my weakness. My miss is a little to the toe side. I am decently steep at 4-5 down. Always thought I am high spin but recently on trackman my 7 was spinning at 5800 roughly.
My question or looking for thoughts on which one would benefit me more from a forgiveness standpoint? Or is there another iron is should be looking at entirely? I only get to play about once or twice a week, if I am not playing a 2-3 day event. Thanks in advance.”
And our members have been sharing their thoughts and suggestions in response.
Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.
- manima1: “You just can’t go wrong with Srixon ZXi7.”
- MattM97: “You have to hit them to know, the V-Sole on the Srixon can be make or break for many.”
- dmeeksDC: “P7CB is more forgiving for me than ZXi7 because my main miss is low middle and the P7CB still flies and spins great on that miss. These are both really nice irons but I like the P7CB more than the Zxi7 and the P770 (or P790) more than the Zxi5. The Srixons are larger so if that gives you confidence that is the way to go. I don’t feel like I get any benefit from the V-sole and the P7CBs live up to their high Maltby forgiveness rating so the TaylorMades have been great for me.”
Entire Thread: “Srixon ZXi combo or TaylorMade P7CB/770 combo? – GolfWRXers discuss”
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @pianoman0123 has a 2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade combo up for grabs.
From the listing: “2024 Wilson Staff CB/Blade Combo. 4-8 irons are CB’s and the 9,PW are Blades. 5-PW have Project X 6.0 Shafts and the 4 Iron has a Steelfiber CW110 Stiff Shaft. Standard Length, Lie and Lofts. These are in very good condition the shafts just don’t work for me. Like new Lamkin Grips on the 5-PW and a stock Golf Pride on the 4 Iron. $525 OBO.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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Ude
Jul 5, 2017 at 7:20 pm
Miz sculptured, re-sculptured and then re-re-sculptured in 2015. What’s next? Scotch Blades?
joro
Mar 3, 2017 at 11:03 am
Mizzens are nice clubs and as a club maker and repairman you get to know what is quality and Mizunos are quality clubs and are made right. I had a set years ago and liked them a lot. Then I went on the TM staff for a few years. I just retired and bought some Hot Metals, very nice, good quality and a good club for us Seniors. Love em.
Ted Till
Nov 2, 2016 at 1:05 am
Comment: I have been playing Mizuno irons since 1995. Started with 29s then 33s then 52s then 67s then 58s then 69s then 4s and now 5s. All the irons have been great, I originally replaced my Hogan PCs with the 29s because of superior feel, accuracy and distance versus the Hogan PCs ( realizing that the PCs had the smallest sweet spot of any Hogan iron)
The MP5s are by far the easiest to hit and best feeling Mizuno irons that I have ever played. The 4s are very close to the 5s but not as forgiving. I think the KBS shafts also add to the feel and playability. I also continue to play my MP33 1-iron with an Aldila graphite shaft. The thicker top line and wider sole is not an issue. They are still a beautiful set of blades.
A s abdeen
Aug 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Pl m.ore info to a senior player.
Jericho
Aug 7, 2015 at 3:43 am
Ya know I’m kinda thinking I might like these ..I’ve had most of the mizzy blade line since the 29’s ..14’s,33’s,37’s,68’s and the Mp-4’s ..then Miura tournament blades and two sets Miura 1957 Baby Blades.. now I’m not sure how these are going to feel because they are supposed to be somewhat hollow’ish ..was really never a big fan of that ..I think the Mp-4 is somewhat the same way ..hollow’ish..the Mp-4 still felt really nice but nothing like the 14’s when flushed..the Mp-5 is supposed to still have the great Mizuno feel but with technology built in .. Wider camber/sole : a far cry from the Baby blades : .. Weight taken out of the middle and placed on the muscle pad ” low on the 3i higher on the P wedge muscle pad wise..and some weight added to the top line that would come in handy if you ground load a little heavy and take the ball off the top so there’s still some meat behind the ball ..I was a +3 years ago on the mini tours when I played the baby blades and now a non competitive low single but just can’t get away from blades ..I think these “helper blades” might get it for me , they look outstanding ..they look every bit a blade/with a technological edge.. Still love taking my 14’s out for a crack but missing them just enough to not break par I have some rounds 68’s with my 714 ap2’s ..a great club as well but miles away from that Mizzy feel..and like I said I just feel better behind a blades ..I don’t really compete anymore so now it’s just about having a great time with the guys ..would be great if these Mp-5’s gave me a little more help to miss a little better ..either way can’t wait to bagg’em!
Buddy Mack
Jul 15, 2015 at 12:22 pm
Agreed: top lines are huge as are the soles w/o closer inspection. Like the finish and muscle shape. Maybe the performance results will mitigate the above negatives?
KCCO
Jul 15, 2015 at 10:34 am
I will always probably be mizuno biased, but still waiting for a 64 direct replacement
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:18 am
Let me rephrase: that top line is too flat and way too thick.
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:14 am
Top line is too thick.
Slimeone
Jul 13, 2015 at 10:10 pm
Good to see Mizuno getting back to their roots…of ripping off Hogan’s designs!
MHendon
Jul 13, 2015 at 5:42 pm
Great looking blades as all Mizuno’s are. What’s the purpose of the channel though?
Chuck
Jul 13, 2015 at 2:51 pm
What’s the “channel” part? That vague shaping on the back of the iron? I think of “channel backs” as having a significant undercut. Many will remember the fascination with the old Titleist 690.CH. That was the ultra-rare Japan-only set for which the 3-iron found its way into Ernie Els’ bag and became his go-to utility iron.
http://www.anserfreak.ne.jp/d-report/2003/0310/images/ch1.jpg
Mizuno (always creating some of the most beautiful irons in the game) has plenty of its own experience with true undercut channel backs. The MX-25 and MP-53 come to mind. There are many more I am sure; almost too many to think of. Are they doing something more “channel-ish” in the long irons?
Ugh
Jul 14, 2015 at 3:13 am
Not that kind of channel. Just a wave-y scoop out near the top half of the head, to distribute weight lower to the muscle. No slots, no cut outs, not that kind of channel.